ISU coach Bill Fennelly stood on Hunziker Court at the Sukup Basketball Practice Facility and turned and pointed at the north wall. Rows of cardinal and gold banners stood out against the gray wall, marking NCAA tournament appearances.

“We talk about that wall up there all the time,” Fennelly said. “We’ll see what [this team] wants to do with it.”

The goal is to hang another banner there at the end of the season. Heading into Wednesday night’s match-up at No. 15 Oklahoma State, Iowa State (19-8, 8-8 Big 12) was on the “bubble” to get a bid to the NCAA tournament and in jeopardy of going banner-less for the first time in seven seasons.

As the Cyclones walked off the court in Stillwater, Okla., with a 17-point win against the Cowgirls, Fennelly thinks their chances at an eighth-straight banner appear to have gotten much better.

“The more games you win, the less you have to worry about,” Fennelly said. “If you said today, ‘Do you think you’re in the NCAA tournament?’ my answer would be yes. But unfortunately just like at home, my opinion doesn’t count sometimes.”

Fortunately for the team, Iowa State appears to be doing the right things at the right time. With consecutive double-digit wins against Texas and Oklahoma State, the selection committee is likely to give the Cyclones — a first and second round NCAA tournament host — a nod in the postseason.

Fennelly mentioned that before the season started, he knew the final five games would be the toughest part of this team’s schedule. With a 2-1 record heading into the final two games, the Cyclones are right where they want to be.

Iowa State has to face a tough hurdle against Kansas at historic Phog Allen Fieldhouse on Saturday. The Cyclones gutted out a win against the Jayhawks earlier this season, but have struggled to beat them on the road in past seasons.

“I think Kansas just plays really good at home,” said junior guard Nikki Moody. “The past few years they have hit big shots to tie the game and send it into overtime and we’ve always lost in overtime so it’s mainly about us buckling down and getting another road win.”

Kansas (12-16, 5-11 Big 12) has struggled at times this season, but has proved to be a tough win at Phog Allen. The Jayhawks took down the Big 12 leader and, now, No. 6 Baylor at home in January.

For Iowa State, there will be no overlooking a Kansas team that will not be playing in the tournament, but will likely be hoping to play the role of spoiler.

With ISU senior Hallie Christofferson approaching the end of her time as a Cyclone, both Fennelly and players have talked about finishing the season strong. 

“One of the things that we’ve talked about is that the next 40 minutes are the most important of the season,” Fennelly said after the win against Texas last week. “Sooner or later there isn’t a next 40. At some point you have to look in the mirror and say, ‘Let’s just try.'”

The Cyclones will try for their third-straight win for the first time since their 14-0 start to begin the season. The game will tip at 7 p.m. Saturday in Lawrence, Kan.